List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Chippewa County facts for kids

Chippewa County in Michigan is a place with a rich history! It's home to many special spots called Michigan State Historic Sites. These are places that the state of Michigan has officially recognized as important because of their history, culture, or architecture. Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of places important to the entire country. Let's explore some of these amazing historical treasures in Chippewa County!
Contents
Historic Buildings and Homes
Chippewa County has many old buildings that tell stories of the past. These include homes, churches, and other important structures.
Homes of Important People
- Allen House: This historic house is located at 126 E. Water Street in Sault Ste. Marie. It was recognized as a historic site in 1971.
- Bishop Frederick Baraga House: Found at 501 E. Water Street in Sault Ste. Marie, this house belonged to Bishop Frederick Baraga, an important religious figure. It became a historic site in 1958.
- Elmwood: This beautiful home at 435 E. Water Street in Sault Ste. Marie was listed as a historic site in 1956. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places.
- John Johnston House: Located at 415 East Waters Street in Sault Ste. Marie, this house belonged to John Johnston, an early settler and fur trader. It was recognized in 1958 and is also on the National Register.
Churches and Community Buildings
- Bay City House Hotel: This old hotel at 501 East Portage in Sault Ste. Marie was listed in 1983. Hotels like this were once busy places for travelers.
- Carnegie Library: Found at 315 Armory Place in Sault Ste. Marie, this library was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped build many libraries across the country. It became a historic site in 1981.
- Central Methodist Church: This church at 111 East Spruce Street in Sault Ste. Marie is a beautiful example of historic architecture. It was listed in 1993 and is also on the National Register.
- Church of Our Saviour, Friend of Children: This unique church is on North Shore Road, Sugar Island, in Payment Settlement. It was recognized in 1978 and is also on the National Register.
- Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral: Located at 320 E Portage Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie, this important church was listed in 1989 and is also on the National Register.
Military and Government Sites
Chippewa County has a strong military past, especially around Sault Ste. Marie.
Historic Forts
- Fort Brady: This historic fort area in Sault Ste. Marie is bounded by the C.O.E. Service Plaza, Portage Street, Brady Street, and Bingham Street. It was an important military post and was listed in 1956. It's also on the National Register.
- Fort Colyer: Located on the west end of Drummond Island, this fort was recognized in 1956 and is on the National Register. It played a role in early American history.
- New Fort Brady: This later fort is located on the Lake Superior State College campus in Sault Ste. Marie. It was listed in 1970 and is also on the National Register.
Government Buildings
- Federal Building: The old Federal Building at 209 East Portage Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie was an important government center. It was listed in 1976 and is also on the National Register.
Important Informational Sites
Some historic sites are not buildings but places where important events happened, marked with special signs.
- Emerson Informational Site: This site on M-123 near Paradise marks the historic area of Emerson. It was recognized in 1979.
- Fort Repentigny Informational Designation: This spot at Park Place and River Street in Sault Ste. Marie marks the location of an early French fort. It was designated in 1956.
- Governor Cass and the Indians Informational Designation: Located at the foot of Bingham Avenue, Brady Field in Sault Ste. Marie, this site remembers an important meeting from the Cass Expedition of 1820. It was designated in 1956.
- Johnston Homestead Informational Site: This site on Neebish Island near Barbeau marks the historic Johnston family homestead. It was recognized in 1975.
- Larke Road Informational Designation: This site on Three Mile Road in Sault Ste. Marie was designated in 1982.
- Legends of Hiawatha: Found in Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Whitefish Township, this site relates to the famous Native American legend. It was designated in 1959.
- Methodist Indian Mission Informational Site: Located at 1420 Riverside Drive in Sault Ste. Marie, this site marks an early mission. It was recognized in 1978.
- Governor Chase Salmon Osborn Informational Designation: This marker is on the Historic Walkway of Sault Ste. Marie and honors Governor Chase Salmon Osborn. It was designated in 1986.
- Sault Ste. Marie Informational Designation: This marker is at a Rest Area on I-75, 5 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie, telling visitors about the city's history. It was designated in 1956.
- Shelldrake Informational Site: Located on Whitefish Point Road near Paradise, this site marks the historic community of Shelldrake. It was recognized in 1979.
- Whitefish Township Informational Designation: This marker on S.R. 48 M-123 in Paradise tells about Whitefish Township. It was designated in 1990.
Other Notable Sites
- Birch Lodge: This lodge at 21830 S. Birch Lodge Drive in Trout Lake is a historic building. It was listed in 1987 and is also on the National Register.
- Lake Superior State College: The campus of Lake Superior State College on West Easterday Road in Sault Ste. Marie was recognized as a historic site in 1975.
- Louis W. Hill: This is a historic steamship, also known as the SS Valley Camp, located at the Old Union Carbide Dock in Sault Ste. Marie. It was listed in 1971 and is on the National Register.
- New Pine Grove Cemetery: This cemetery at 5750 S. Mackinac Trail in Sault Ste. Marie was listed in 1996. Cemeteries can be important historical sites, showing how communities grew and changed.
- Saint Mary's Falls Canal: Also known as the Soo Locks, this amazing canal in Canal Park, Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, is a huge engineering feat. It was listed in 1959 and is on the National Register.
- Whitefish Point Lighthouse: This famous lighthouse at Whitefish Point, 6 miles NE of Shelldrake, is a very important landmark for shipping on Lake Superior. It was listed in 1974 and is on the National Register.
- Whitefish Point Post Office: Located at 16878 N. Whitefish Point Road near Paradise, this historic post office was listed in 1979.